Computex: Asus offers glance at US$199 laptop

Notebook vendor Asus has used Computex 2007 to provide a preview of a fourthcoming laptop range which will be available for a rock bottom price tag of US$199.

The Eee PC is designed to accommodate increasing Internet computing demands as well as a growing number of users, both young and old.

The 7” Eee PC 701 weighs 0.89 kg, with large flash-based storage capacity and built-in webcam for compact mobility with wireless. Built-in WLAN connectivity allows users to stay connected for Internet usage on the go.

The Eee PC offers two modes of user interface design: the easy mode and the full desktop mode in order to accommodate both experienced and inexperienced PC users, according to the vendor.

Speaking at Intel’s opening keynote at Computex 2007, Jonney Shih, chairman and chief executive officer of Asus, said: “This [the Eee PC] should be the lowest cost and easiest PC around. It only takes 15 seconds to boot up and weighs less than 900 grams.”

Shih said the new offering is designed to make it easy to learn, play and work.

"It is also easy to carry and to use for phone calls,” said Shih. “There are people out there looking for small, low cost PCs. It is a huge market.”

The Eee PC is expected to be available from around August.